Whether it’s hacking, phishing or malware, cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and more dangerous. Last year alone there were 2.4 million attacks on UK businesses, costing a company on average over £15,000.
Modern cybercriminals are relentless, constantly updating their strategies to exploit any weaknesses they can find. Sadly, these weaknesses are often human. 95% of cyberattacks succeed due to employee error, so training your staff to be vigilant is a must. Here’s a look at some of the main aspects of user awareness training, and why it could be one of the best investments you ever make.
What are the biggest threats?
Phishing is by far the most common type of cyberattack, accounting for 79% of all incidents. It usually takes the form of an email claiming to be from a client, supplier or coworker. This email will encourage the receiver to click a link to a malicious website, or to share passwords and other sensitive information.
In recent years, phishing attacks have become a lot more sophisticated. Generative AI allows scammers to mimic the tone of a particular person or company, meaning that even the most savvy employee can easily be caught out.
How can user awareness training help?
These threats are always evolving, so it’s important to update your training regularly. User awareness training is designed to raise awareness of the most common types of phishing email, and to set out the correct response to a suspected scam. This can include:
· Highlighting the common elements of phishing emails
· Reminding staff of your company’s ways of working so they can recognise when they are being asked to do something unusual
· Encouraging employees to check with a senior staff member if they have any doubts about an email
· Setting out a standard procedure for reporting phishing incidents
Of course, cracking down on phishing is only one aspect of cybersecurity. Training sessions are also a great opportunity to remind employees of general best practices. These include choosing strong passwords and employing multi-factor authentication when necessary, keeping anti-virus software up to date and not leaving work devices unattended in public places.
What else can I do to stay safe?
No matter how well you train your staff, mistakes are bound to happen. A vigilant workforce is the first line of defence, but it should be part of a broader cybersecurity strategy. Besides training staff to identify phishing attempts, there are other ways you can enhance your safety.
Making it difficult for hackers to gain access
Prevention is always better than cure, so installing a robust spam filter is a must. This will ensure that most phishing emails are never seen by employees at all. You can also make it harder for scammers to “spoof” your domains by employing anti-spoofing controls. If possible, try to limit the amount of company information available to the public. This will give scammers less to work with when crafting their messages.
Protecting your business from successful phishing attempts
Clicking a malicious link doesn’t have to spell disaster. By keeping software up to date with the latest patches, you can limit the potential damage from malware. We offer managed SOC (Security Operations Centre) as a powerful 24/7 outsourced solution – it is a great way to ensure that nothing is missed.
Responding to breaches
Should the worst happen, it’s important to have procedures in place for containing the damage. Every business should have an incident response plan that includes guidance for resetting passwords and removing malware. Having a premeditated plan or even looking at a managed disaster recovery service gives you peace of mind that breaches will be dealt with as quickly and safely as possible.
Don’t take any chances
This is a complex area and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With Nebula, you can rest assured that you’re getting the best – we take the time to nurture a deep understanding of your people, processes and products. We have years of experience in providing user awareness training that is up to date and sensitive to your employees’ needs. Get in touch today to get started.